Thomas Bryan (Chief Justice)
Encyclopedia
Sir Thomas Bryan KS KB (died 14 August 1500) was a British justice
He was born to common blood, most likely to the son of John Bryan, who was a fishmonger, although Thomas assumed the arms of Guy Bryan when he became a person of some importance. It is suggested he went to university before beginning legal studies in the 1440s, becoming a student at Gray's Inn
, progressing rapidly; by 1456 he was already a Bencher
, and was acting as a Feoffee
for the Inn. He was at this point serving as legal counsel for various London companies, including as a steward for St Bartholomew's Hospital
in 1459. He was appointed Common Serjeant of London
in 1460, a position he held until he was created Serjeant-at-law
in 1463, followed by a further promotion to King's Serjeant in 1470. After the accession of Edward IV
in 1471 Bryan was made Chief Justice of the Common Pleas
, and was appointed a Knight of the Bath in 1475. Bryan served as Chief Justice for 29 years until his death, the longest period of service up to that point. He died on 14 August 1500, leaving a son, another Sir Thomas Bryan
, whose son Francis Bryan
became Lord Chief Justice of Ireland
and was known as the "Vicar of Hell".
He was born to common blood, most likely to the son of John Bryan, who was a fishmonger, although Thomas assumed the arms of Guy Bryan when he became a person of some importance. It is suggested he went to university before beginning legal studies in the 1440s, becoming a student at Gray's Inn
Gray's Inn
The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, commonly known as Gray's Inn, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
, progressing rapidly; by 1456 he was already a Bencher
Bencher
A bencher or Master of the Bench is a senior member of an Inn of Court in England and Wales. Benchers hold office for life once elected. A bencher can be elected while still a barrister , in recognition of the contribution that the barrister has made to the life of the Inn or to the law...
, and was acting as a Feoffee
Feoffee
A Feoffee is a trustee who holds a fief , that is to say an estate in land, for the use of a beneficial owner. The term is more fully stated as a feoffee to uses of the beneficial owner. The use of such trustees developed towards the end of the era of feudalism in the middle ages and became...
for the Inn. He was at this point serving as legal counsel for various London companies, including as a steward for St Bartholomew's Hospital
St Bartholomew's Hospital
St Bartholomew's Hospital, also known as Barts, is a hospital in Smithfield in the City of London, England.-Early history:It was founded in 1123 by Raherus or Rahere , a favourite courtier of King Henry I...
in 1459. He was appointed Common Serjeant of London
Common Serjeant of London
The Common Serjeant of London is an ancient British legal office, first recorded in 1317, and is the second most senior permanent judge of the Central Criminal Court after the Recorder of London, acting as deputy to that office, and sitting as a judge in the trial of criminal offences.The Common...
in 1460, a position he held until he was created Serjeant-at-law
Serjeant-at-law
The Serjeants-at-Law was an order of barristers at the English bar. The position of Serjeant-at-Law , or Sergeant-Counter, was centuries old; there are writs dating to 1300 which identify them as descended from figures in France prior to the Norman Conquest...
in 1463, followed by a further promotion to King's Serjeant in 1470. After the accession of Edward IV
Edward IV of England
Edward IV was King of England from 4 March 1461 until 3 October 1470, and again from 11 April 1471 until his death. He was the first Yorkist King of England...
in 1471 Bryan was made Chief Justice of the Common Pleas
Chief Justice of the Common Pleas
The Court of Common Pleas, also known as the Common Bench or Common Place, was the second highest common law court in the English legal system until 1880, when it was dissolved. As such, the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas was one of the highest judicial officials in England, behind only the Lord...
, and was appointed a Knight of the Bath in 1475. Bryan served as Chief Justice for 29 years until his death, the longest period of service up to that point. He died on 14 August 1500, leaving a son, another Sir Thomas Bryan
Thomas Bryan (courtier)
Sir Thomas Bryan was an English courtier during the reign of Henry VIII.-Family:His wife, Margaret Bryan was governess to the King's four acknowledged children, Mary, Elizabeth, Edward and his illegitimate son, Henry Fitzroy, 1st Duke of Richmond and Somerset. She impressed the King so much, he...
, whose son Francis Bryan
Francis Bryan
Sir Francis Bryan was an English courtier and diplomat during the reign of Henry VIII. He was Chief Gentleman of the Privy chamber and Lord Chief Justice of Ireland. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Bryan always retained Henry's favour, achieving this by altering his opinions to conform to the...
became Lord Chief Justice of Ireland
Lord Chief Justice of Ireland
thumb|200px|The Four CourtsThe headquarters of the Irish judicial system since 1804. The Court of King's Bench was one of the original four courts that sat there....
and was known as the "Vicar of Hell".